Gascoyne downplays B-spec car expectations

The car, whose introduction has been delayed a few months, will finally race for the first time in Istanbul after the summer break and Gascoyne says the new machine will make the team at least three quarters of a second faster.

Despite that, the Briton is not expecting the car to be able to take the team significantly forward, and he insists it's just a first step in a long-term development programme.

"Aerodynamically, it's worth about three quarters of a second," Gascoyne said. "Mechanically, we're expecting a good step forward. But if you look at recent Grands Prix, that only really closes the gap to Toro Rosso. But at some circuits, it will be closer.

"But rather than being a big step in itself, rather it's the first step in the process - there will be further updates coming. We've just switched on our wind tunnel in Brackley - and that was meant to happen six to eight weeks ago, and that has limited the progress we've made with the B-spec car.

"So it's not as much of a step forward as we aimed for initially but you'll see updates coming throughout the rest of the season. And our pace of development will accelerate.

"It won't suddenly mean we're a point-scoring team but it's the start of the process which means by this time next year we will."

Spyker have already tested the car's new gearbox and rear suspension in testing at Silverstone, completing 200kms with no real problems.

The full aerodynamic package will be shaken down on 14 August at the British track, and the team will take three new chassis to Turkey.

Aerodynamically, the car will have little in common with the current machine.

"New front wing, front wing flaps, front wing endplate, new bargeboards, new floor, sidepods, rear wing, radiator layout - so it's a fairly comprehensive update, but it's important to stress that this is just the start of the process. And certainly at lower downforce tracks we've looked more competitive - so we'll be looking forward to Spa and Monza.

"It's a couple of months behind schedule but it's starting to come together now - it's been frustrating but it was always the case that this was going to be a shitty year. We've already got updates in the pipeline."

He added: "It's the same tub. It will be carried over to next year but we will probably be introducing a lighter weight version of it. It's far more now of a rolling development process - and the rear-end is the basis of next year.

"The gearbox has been designed as a four-race gearbox - it complies with next year's reg changes. So mechanically, this is the car for next year. It's not seamless - I think a lot of people might struggle with four-race gearboxes and their internals next year.

"We don't think that's value for money for Spyker - but we've got the basis of the car and will concentrate massively on aero for the next season and a half."

Spyker are yet to score a point this season.